Homeowners face many options when attempting to create a backyard patio paradise. With summer right around the corner, people are scrambling to finish up their beautiful backyard patios in order to enjoy the comforts they offer. With so many styling options to choose from as well as a variety of materials to use, it can be overwhelming to many, but there are some simple tips to follow to help you build the patio of your dreams.
Some Things To Consider
Among costs, there are a few key points you need to consider before moving forward with your patio project. It is imperative to take the time to map everything out because you do not want to be in the middle of a project before you realize that something won’t work.
Space
One of the main things to consider is the amount of space needed for the type of project you have in mind. One good tip to follow is bigger is better. The more space that you have available to you the more options you will have, as well as making sure that your project will be able to fit, even if you have extra space you can fill in with plants or other fillers.
Understanding the Elements
The second thing you will want to consider is the type of patio that will suit your home as well as where you live. If you live in an area that gets a lot of sun, I’m sure that sunshade will be a main component for your patio. Conversely if you live in an area with many bugs or heavy rains, then an awning or an enclosed patio may be the best option for you. Just making sure that you are setting up for the environment you live in will be key to narrowing down which patio will work best for you.
Materials
The third detail to consider is the types of materials you will be using to create your patio, most people automatically assume to use wood to create a nice outdoor patio, which can be a great option. The issue with wood is the maintenance that goes into keeping your wood looking beautiful as well as being sturdy. Wood can cost a lot more to maintain and is easily affected by the weather elements, expands and contracts with warm and cool weather, as well falls prey to insects like carpenter ants and termites. Using Travertine is an easy and beautiful option to creating a sturdy outdoor patio. Travertine is light weight and easily installed to fit any shape and size patio, it is very easy to maintain and doesn’t fall victim to rain or other pesky bugs!
Installation
Once you have figured out the amount of space needed as well as the type of materials that will work for the construction of your patio deck you are now ready to begin collecting the materials and start prepping for the construction of the patio. You will want a blueprint outlining what will be done in order to have a good idea as to what the final product will look like. Having a good outline as to what work will be done and when you will be able to start laying the ground work as well as make sure there will be no hiccups along the way. Travertine Mart makes this process easy with our online Patio Designer. Patio designer helps you decided what colors schemes you would like to use for your patio and allows you to go through all sorts of options to choose the right colors and styles to match your home.
Before beginning installation you will want to outline the area where you will be building the patio. Simply begin by bordering out the area you are looking to construct the base of your patio. Once you set up the base border you can begin by compacting the dirt in the area, it is important to ensure the soil is compact and dry because wet soil will sink and lead to cracks or spaces between tiles. On top of the compacted soil you will want to add a more solid base layer usually done using limestone or gravel. This will make sure that no sinking will occur as well as help set a sturdy base for the last layer of sand that will be added. Sand helps smooth it all out creating a flat surface as well as fill in any gaps between the tiles. The key to a great patio is having a strong solid foundation in order to be able to continue to build it up from there and add all the amenities of a barbecue, outdoor table and chairs, as well as possibly setting up a fire ring or any other small details to really bring it all together.
As you can see there a few key elements to creating the perfect backyard getaway. Ensuring that you do it correct from the beginning, preplanning the amount of space you will be needing, being aware of the weather and elements in your area, and choosing the right materials for your project are all key factors to make sure you and your family to enjoy your outdoor patio to its fullest, for years to come.